Nutritional and sensory evaluation of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods

Maize-based weaning foods prepared from whole maize meal or dehydrated fermented maize (ogi) flour fortified with soybean, cowpea or groundbean tempe, with or without the addition of melon seed flour were fed to 40 albino weanling rats. The nutrient quality of the weaning foods was monitored by the measurement of protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR), true digestibility (TD), biological value (BV) and net protein utilization (NPU). Amino acid composition and amino acid scores were determined. The weaning foods were also evaluated for sensory properties and acceptability by nursing mothers and their children. Protein efficiency ratio, net protein retention and net protein utilization of the fortified weaning foods were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when compared to casein diet (control). True digestibility of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods averaged 85.4 +/- 3.4% compared to 94.4%, for casein diet. Results from sensory analysis showed that relative to tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods, most mothers preferred Cerelac, a commercial weaning food, and its porridge because of its vanillic flavour and sweet taste. Despite the low scores recorded for aroma and taste of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods, most mothers and their children found porridges prepared from these foods acceptable, with a preference for ogi fortified with cowpea tempe. Tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods had high protein quality and can support the growth of infants in developing countries especially during the critical weaning period (6-12 months). They were comparable to Cerelac, a commercial baby food in colour and texture.